Author Topic: MY 2006 Audi RS4 B7 (Read 1086 times)

TT · « **on:** 23-Aug-2011, 14:05:38 »

Hey, WTF?!? Because I bought when I was totally off TAU, I don't even have a topic about my RS4!! So, here it is!

It won't be as interesting as Thommy's topic, as there aren't any mods planned, and the car is bone stock, apart from the fact it has the 250 km/h limiter removed.

I got the car last december. The choice fell after many discussions with my wife, as she wanted something roomy and big (don't ask me why, since we don't have any baby planned, no dogs and so on...), so she was suggesting something along the lines o Volvo XC60, Ford Kuga and other crappy SUV... I knew I didn't want something like that to enter the garage, so I had to think quick and think hard. My only desire was AWD and definitely more than 300 hp. At a certain point she said the new volvo S60/V60 was pretty cool, so I realised there was hope. I scanned the ads and found some good RS4 V8, we went for a testdrive and luckily she was hooked. We actually bought the second car we checked out. Very good deal, as it's one of the very first sold in Switzerland (summer 2006), and in fact a grey import from Germany, already de-restricted and totaling "just" 80'000 km. The price was definitely good, so she came home right before Christmas.

First choice, right away while buying it: winter tires, as she was wearing the nice 19 inches from the factory, with summer tires.

After some thought, and wanting to avoid the classic choices I always seen on RS4s around here, I went for the previous RS4 (B5) ones. 18".
Some ppl don't like them on the B7. IMO they are cool, and I never saw another B7 wearing such wheels in winter, plus, they were second hand, so a pretty good deal aswell.

Summer came, the 19" came back and so far we totalled 17'500 km on it, including lot of highway trips to several car related events, some 250+ km/h stretches of autobahn and a couple of laps on the Nordschleife and at Monza!

At 93'000 km the onboard digital unit prompted for a service and it was basically just oil, some sensors, sparks and shit.

First big expense happened today, cause the brake lights went on some days ago, and in fact I have to change front discs and pads allround. That equates to a 4'000 swiss francs bill, which is rougly 5'000 $ or 3'500 € at todays' exchange rate.
I'm gonna think about it next time I'll visit the NS!

As for fuel consumption, averaging 14 l / 100 km isn't that bad, considering my wife uses it Monday to Friday to commute to work, which is just town driving basically.

As for pictures, I realize I just took some cool ones in winter with the 18 wheels, and just a couple during summer time... too busy driving around!

gucom · « **Reply #1 on:** 23-Aug-2011, 14:29:58 »

so that's your idea of a "shopping / wife's car"

nice! Love the pics as well!

pzgren · « **Reply #2 on:** 23-Aug-2011, 14:35:59 »

your RS4 definitely needs is own topic. i saw a picture of itn some months ago in a quote of dani in facebook. excellent choice!!! guess this is the best car if you have to go for a compromise. enough space for... whatever and lots of fun for the guy behind the wheel!

too bad about the brakes but it had to come. lots of power, quite a few kg's on weight, driving with fun... and since they use the big brakes on the B7... it ends up with big $$$ imagine your car would be equipped with the Audi ceramic brake system...

danidmas · « **Reply #3 on:** 23-Aug-2011, 16:16:45 »

That's an expensive bill, that's for sure! Talking about brakes, did you consider go for another brand? Brembo, Endless (probably even more expensive than the Audi OEM pads and discs), etc.

14 l/100km in town driving is not bad for such a car, I guess on normal road/highway driving it should be around 10-11 l/100km...

The RS4 is for sure one of the cars I'd love to have in my stable, but since I need a daily driving, I think a A4 B8 2.0 TDI 170hp is a more reasonable choice. Anyway, price per price, a low-mileage second-hand RS4 is actually (a lot) cheaper than a brand new A4... so may be it's worth it afterall.

Tempting. Tempting.

Darkel · « **Reply #4 on:** 23-Aug-2011, 18:23:03 »

Quote from: TT on 23-Aug-2011, 14:05:38

apart from the fact it has the 250 km/h limiter removed.

Were you able to confirm this ? You said you had some doubts at the NS after driving up from Switzerland

Igorionia · « **Reply #5 on:** 23-Aug-2011, 19:43:10 »

Personal picture of the RS4 and message to JW of GTFO

WE DON'T TRUST YOU!

PS - Welcome yo Audi WORLD!
best choise!!!

1 ceramic brake disk for Audi S8 costs only 8000Euros + second one and brake pads

PPS - congratulations TT! I love it!!!

TT · « **Reply #6 on:** 23-Aug-2011, 20:37:40 »

Quote from: pzgren on 23-Aug-2011, 14:35:59

...
too bad about the brakes but it had to come. lots of power, quite a few kg's on weight, driving with fun... and since they use the big brakes on the B7... it ends up with big $$$ imagine your car would be equipped with the Audi ceramic brake system...

So true! But I think ceramic discs last much longer at least ;-)

Quote from: danidmas on 23-Aug-2011, 16:16:45

That's an expensive bill, that's for sure! Talking about brakes, did you consider go for another brand? Brembo, Endless (probably even more expensive than the Audi OEM pads and discs), etc. 14 l/100km in town driving is not bad for such a car, I guess on normal road/highway driving it should be around 10-11 l/100km...

The RS4 is for sure one of the cars I'd love to have in my stable, but since I need a daily driving, I think a A4 B8 2.0 TDI 170hp is a more reasonable choice. Anyway, price per price, a low-mileage second-hand RS4 is actually (a lot) cheaper than a brand new A4... so may be it's worth it afterall. Tempting. Tempting.

Yes, the best tank, fuel consumption wise, was something around 11.3, but it's pretty rare to get such a result. Also, a small complain is about the range the tank gives you. You manage 500 km only every now and then. Most of the time you get in the 400s...
And dani, you won't regret buying an Audi, but remember also older models, while cheap to buy, can be quite expensive to maintain (my old A4 wasn't cheap for sure!)

Quote from: Darkel on 23-Aug-2011, 18:23:03

Were you able to confirm this ? You said you had some doubts at the NS after driving up from Switzerland

Well, I confirm I never managed more than 260 so far, which could be a confirmation, or just a limiter not really hitting at 250. I need more autobahn trips!

Quote from: Igorionia on 23-Aug-2011, 19:43:10

Personal picture of the RS4 and message to JW of GTFO
Quote from: Igorionia on 23-Aug-2011, 19:43:10
Personal picture of the RS4 and message to JW of GTFO

Good memories!!!

Stoffie · « **Reply #7 on:** 23-Aug-2011, 22:23:42 »

Amazing car to own as a daily, damn...next year at RR12 I want a ride! (not necessarily on the Ring though).

Looks just right

ARMAN · « **Reply #8 on:** 23-Aug-2011, 22:56:38 »

holy shit how much for the brakes you say?!?!?!?!?

wtf why it is so expensive???? somebody ripping you off i tellya

ps: just checked local internet shops with parts and if i saw right than basic brakes for rs4 cost around the same as ones for my 535! Full set of drilled zimmermanns + textar brakepads for my 535 costs about 450-500€ without discount and friendly 300€ with a discount from a guy from local bmwklub who owns a parts shop

are you going to buy parts and chage them by audi dealer? then I'd understand that insane price difference

oh and btw love the looks of it, looks very masculate

brembo · « **Reply #9 on:** 24-Aug-2011, 01:02:28 »

not much to say other than dead sexy.....about time you made a topic about this girl here Matteo...

Enjoy her, and look around alittle for the brakes, I know from my own RS time it is alot to save by loking around some....

Skaala · « **Reply #10 on:** 24-Aug-2011, 07:03:49 »

finally you made a topic for it.

Beware that you can get brakediscs and pads quite cheap from Germany online, compared to the prices you mentioned.

I have shopped a lot at this place (both in the actual store and via ebay): Beim urquattro Vierlbeck outside Munich. I see they have a set of discs and pads for the B7 at €1.890. Should leave 1600euros for tax and work.
The RS models have some parts that are quite expensive compared to the rest of the lineup, but there is tons of $$ to save if you look a round a bit online. (usually from germany

)

Have you concidered going aftermarket on the pads?
I just changed to Endless, but I guess if you dont track the car a lot it is pointless. But Ferrodo and others also have several good options for daily use as well.

yeckmohr · « **Reply #11 on:** 24-Aug-2011, 09:26:22 »

no more words to say, the third RS model in TAU, well done maTTeo, looks classy beautyful, keep it like this ( no rice tuning please

), the last picture is awesome with all the RS models.

TT · « **Reply #12 on:** 25-Aug-2011, 08:51:43 »

Thanks guys!
Sort of good news. The estimated 4'000 swiss francs turned out to be a but more than the real invoice I got, which was "only" 3'300...

Thommy. Yes, I considered looking around in the internet, but since I didn't have time right away, I just guess it will be for the next change, and also, I don't like the look they give you at the dealer when you arrive with your own internet ordered tires/parts... I always fear they try to rip you off elsewhere.
I considered aftermarket aswell, but there, either you have trustworth opinions from ppl you know that tried the same stuff on the same car, either it's a bit risky!

Quote from: Stoffie on 23-Aug-2011, 22:23:42

Amazing car to own as a daily, damn...next year at RR12 I want a ride! (not necessarily on the Ring though).

Looks just right

LOL, deal, although my wife won't probably let me drive it on the Ring for quite some time now :-P

Schwalbe · « **Reply #13 on:** 26-Aug-2011, 06:26:29 »

Once again congrats Matteo for your B7 RS4 Avant.

I'm so addicted to Audi RS4 that I will always take a used RS4 over a brand new B8 S4.

You are really lucky to live in Europe, in North America a used B7 RS4 sedan (No Avant here) is still very expensive and always unreliable that's why many people select the Jeep SRT-8 with similar performance...but of course you don't have the quattro GmbH quality and the RS spirit.

Long road with your new ride !

TT · « **Reply #14 on:** 26-Aug-2011, 07:15:05 »

I understand the expensive bit, but why should it be unreliable? Bad owners or what?

Schwalbe · « **Reply #15 on:** 26-Aug-2011, 08:14:27 »

Quote from: TT on 26-Aug-2011, 07:15:05

I understand the expensive bit, but why should it be unreliable? Bad owners or what?

All North American VW-Audi-Volvo-Mercedes-BMW seem to have been built by team C at the factory in Europe comparing to your quality team A cars sold in Europe (They are different models at the assembly plant). Not only they are unreliable but the parts are extremely expensive because they need to be imported from overseas. I'm always trying to explain this fact to all my fellow European friends. In Germany VW & Audi are reputed to be reliable cars, but here in North America it's the total opposite. I think VW is the worst in Canada.

Don't read me wrong, I'm an European car fanatic, but I used to own a B5 A4 1.8T and it was a money pit...always something broken, it's even worst with B5 S4 & Volvo S60R/V70R. I worked part time couple years ago for a car magazine oriented on customer/reliability and this is where I based my opinion. Next time you coming in North America, play this game : Pay attention to all Audi - VW you will encounter, you will notice they have always at least one front or back light burned.

Here the S4/RS4 with the V8 4.2L has some engine issues (Cylinder head, Valves, Excess Oil consumption) but between you and me I can live with those problems...it's an RS4 after all !

Despite what I said, Audi & Porsche will be always my favorite car brands and I'm jealous of your lovely B7 RS4 Avant in black !!!

Thamar · « **Reply #16 on:** 26-Aug-2011, 10:50:31 »

Isn't it also because of the fact that the european cars sold over there are the ones with the higher outputs, and are more subject to abuse from the driver?

Like the new a3, the smallest one in the us is a 2.0T, here it is a 1.2T...

And well, it wouldn't surprise me if they are on a different line with different parts, they are so darn cheap in the US!
For example, Volvo S40 T5 is 28.625$ with 5 years warranty/wear&tear+maintenance in the USA, here it is €35.000 with 2 years warranty. Maintenance+wear/tear you can pay yourself.

Skaala · « **Reply #17 on:** 26-Aug-2011, 11:29:54 »

Quote from: Schwalbe on 26-Aug-2011, 08:14:27

All North American VW-Audi-Volvo-Mercedes-BMW seem to have been built by team C at the factory in Europe comparing to your quality team A cars sold in Europe (They are different models at the assembly plant). Not only they are unreliable but the parts are extremely expensive because they need to be imported from overseas. I'm always trying to explain this fact to all my fellow European friends. In Germany VW & Audi are reputed to be reliable cars, but here in North America it's the total opposite. I think VW is the worst in Canada.

Don't read me wrong, I'm an European car fanatic, but I used to own a B5 A4 1.8T and it was a money pit...always something broken, it's even worst with B5 S4 & Volvo S60R/V70R. I worked part time couple years ago for a car magazine oriented on customer/reliability and this is where I based my opinion. Next time you coming in North America, play this game : Pay attention to all Audi - VW you will encounter, you will notice they have always at least one front or back light burned.

Here the S4/RS4 with the V8 4.2L has some engine issues (Cylinder head, Valves, Excess Oil consumption) but between you and me I can live with those problems...it's an RS4 after all !

Despite what I said, Audi & Porsche will be always my favorite car brands and I'm jealous of your lovely B7 RS4 Avant in black !!!

I remember you told me about this during the RR, and I have tried to investigatethis more. I know that in the past a lot of european cars were changed quite much to comply with US emission regulations. the engines were often derated in hp/torqe to a level where the engine would start to build up large amounts of soot and guck all over the place, leading to engine failure and complete overhauls.

I do not believe that quattro GmbH use major different engine- or other components on the production line, apart from lights/bumpers etc.

Over here a lot of cars are imported from the US, mostly old american cars, but the last years it has also been very poular to import old Merc SL's. Even with the changed ugly lights and bumpers, the cars run quite badly compared to a EU version from the same year. As for the lightbulbs....I have no idea...could also be the NA drivers not bothering to change it. You also see it on tv( Cops...haha), people being pulled over because a rear light isn't working...I dont think I have changed a rear bulb that was broken in 10 years? Here you even have to keep a spare kit in the car.

I am not sure if the manufacturers also change internal parts in the engine, but I would doubt it, but as mentioned , the software can cause all sorts of failures. I have also heard that the quality of fuel (not octane rating) is a lot higher in europe, and the cars initially are maybe more sensitive to fuel quality?

If you run a car on a low qualitry fuel the engine would be subject to ignition problems (engine knock)....igniting the fuel at a different time than planned may not be hearable to the ear when you are driving, but it will cause some major destruction of the engine in the end.

USA (AKI/PON) = Europe (RON)
Regular........... 87 = 91
Plus................ 89 = 93
Premium......... 91 = 95
Premium Plus... 93 = 98

Not sure what you ran your S4 on Schwalbe, but the RS4 would be f*cked quite shortly if you ran it on anything less than US91EU95. The instruction manual even says that you shoud drive it on US93/EU98, but if nothing else is available at the pump, half a tank is OK to go to a different filling station. (stock car, and same with the RS2)) Especially if the engine is tuned it will under no circumstances run properly with anything less than US93/EU98. MTM states EU98 as an absolute minimum. Higher is always better

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

TT · « **Reply #18 on:** 26-Aug-2011, 14:10:29 »

Quite interesting anyway bits of info Schwalbe & Skaala. I never considered that (although I was aware about the "crappy" regular petrol found at the pump over there...

sentra_dude · « **Reply #19 on:** 28-Aug-2011, 19:02:19 »

Congrats on an awesome RS4!!!

The one thing that shocks me is that it isn't white?!

I also can't believe how insanely expensive the brakes were, makes me glad I don't have an RS4... So how big is the garage now? Did you have to sell any cars to make room for the RS4?